2007-08 Academic Catalog	home FAQs request

ENGLISH

Programs offered:

• Major in English with a Literature Emphasis (9.0 course credits)
• Minor in English with a Literature Emphasis (5.0 course credits)
• Major in English Writing (10.0 course credits)
• Minor in English Writing (5.0 course credits)
• Major in Print Journalism (9.0 course credits)
• Minor in Print Journalism (5.0 course credits)
• English major with Communication Arts/Literature teaching license, grades 5-12 (see Education: Interdisciplinary Programs for Secondary Education) (13.0 course credits plus 9.0 course credits in education)
• Communication Arts/Literature Area of Specialization for Elementary Education majors, grades 5-8 (see education) (5.0 course credits in communication arts/literature)

English Course Descriptions 

Faculty
Joan Kopperud, chair
Catherine O. McMullen
James E. Coomber
W. Scott Olsen
Dawn E. Duncan 
James Postema
Roland P. Finger 
William J. Snyder Jr.
Alfhild Ingberg
David A. Sprunger
Maureen Kelly Jonason
Jonathan M. Steinwand
Nancy J. Jones
Tamara M. Weets
Gordon Lell

Concordia’s English department centers itself in literature, literary criticism, journalism, creative writing and the study of rhetoric. Students learn to think critically about what they read and write, using texts to study the human experience. The English department programs provide an excellent liberal arts foundation for any career chosen after graduation from Concordia. The English department also sponsors an honors program for exceptional students. For details, see the department chair.

The literature program provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:

• identify and explain the techniques used to create meaning in a text, using the vocabulary of the discipline
• make connections between literary texts and their historical and cultural contexts
• interpret texts using a variety of critical approaches, attentive to ethical implications
• develop moral, aesthetic and existential awareness
• express complex ideas with clarity and style

The writing program provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:

• write skillfully in a variety of genres
• demonstrate advanced skill in a particular genre
• show familiarity with a range of contemporary styles
• use ethical, effective language
• understand research methods and responsibilities

The print journalism program provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:

• understand the changing role and importance of journalism in modern society
• use rich, precise and illuminating language
• construct skillful narratives
• find and assess relevant facts, interpret them, and present them in a context that is concise, fair and accurate
• show familiarity with the major ethical and legal issues in journalism

For all major and minor programs, it is recommended that students complete the required ENG 100- or 200-level course before taking 300- or 400-level courses. Consult with your adviser for a plan that best fits your situation. The following variable topic courses may be counted multiple times when taken with different topics:

• ENG 380 — Special Topics, 0.5 to 1.0 credit
• ENG 410 — Individual Author, 1.0 credit
• ENG 421 — Traditions in Literary Genre, 1.0 credit
• ENG 451 — Approaches to Texts and Contexts, 1.0 credit

Major in English with a Literature Emphasis

Successful completion of the major in English with a literature emphasis will enable students to identify and explain the techniques used to create meaning in a text, using the vocabulary of the discipline; make connections between literary texts and their historical and cultural contexts; interpret texts using a variety of critical approaches, attentive to ethical implications; develop moral, aesthetic and existential awareness; and express complex ideas with clarity and style.

The requirements for a major in English with a literature emphasis are 9.0 course credits:

• ENG 220 — Human Values in British and American Literature, 1.0 credit
• ENG 230 — Introduction to Literary Scholarship, 1.0 credit
• 3.0 credits in cultural contexts:
–  ENG 315 — English Language: Historical and Analytical, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 326 — British Literature: Medieval to Renaissance, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 336 — British Literature: The Restoration to Romanticism, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 346 — British Literature: Empire to Independence, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 353 — American Literature: Beginnings to Realism, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 355 — American Literature: Realism to the Present, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 358 — Native American Literatures, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 365 — Writing of Women, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 380 — Special Topics, 0.5 to 1.0 credit (when designated cultural contexts)
• 2.0 credits in study-in-depth:
–  ENG 401 — Shakespeare and the English Renaissance, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 410 — Individual Author, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 421 — Traditions in Literary Genre, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 439 — Film and Literature, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 441 — Theory and Practice of Criticism, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 451 — Approaches to Texts and Contexts, 1.0 credit
• ENG 488 — Senior Capstone in Literature, 1.0 credit
• One elective credit from any English course offering in literature or writing except ENG 112 — American English Language and Culture and ENG 491 — Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing for the Secondary School.

Minor in English with a Literature Emphasis

The requirements for a minor in English with a literature emphasis are 5.0 course credits:

• ENG 220 — Human Values in British and American Literature, 1.0 credit
• ENG 230 — Introduction to Literary Scholarship, 1.0 credit
• 1.0 credit in cultural contexts:
–  ENG 315 — English Language: Historical and Analytical, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 326 — British Literature: Medieval to Renaissance, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 336 — British Literature: The Restoration to Romanticism, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 346 — British Literature: Empire to Independence, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 353 — American Literature: Beginnings to Realism, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 355 — American Literature: Realism to the Present, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 358 — Native American Literatures, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 365 — Writing of Women, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 380 — Special Topics, 0.5 to 1.0 credit (when designated cultural contexts)
• 1.0 credit in study-in-depth:
–  ENG 401 — Shakespeare and the English Renaissance, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 410 — Individual Author, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 421 — Traditions in Literary Genre, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 439 — Film and Literature, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 441 — Theory and Practice of Criticism, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 451 — Approaches to Texts and Contexts, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 488 — Senior Capstone in Literature, 1.0 credit
• 1.0 elective credit from any English course offering in linguistics, literature or writing except ENG 112 — American English Language and Culture and ENG 491 — Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing for the Secondary School.

Major in English Writing

Successful completion of the English writing major will enable students to write skillfully in a variety of genres; demonstrate advanced skill in a particular genre; show familiarity with a range of contemporary styles; use ethical, effective language; and understand research methods and responsibilities.

Requirements for a major in English writing are 10 course credits:

• ENG 227 — Foundations of Creative Writing, 1.0 credit
• 4.0 credits from any English course offering in linguistics or literature except ENG 112 — American English Language and Culture and ENG 491 — Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing for the Secondary School.
• 2.0 credits from writing courses (beyond the required pair):
–  ENG 316 — Writing for the World of Work, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 317 — News Writing, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 318 — Feature Writing, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 324 — Technical Writing, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 377 — Nonfiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 378 — Poetry Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 379 — Fiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 380 — Special Topics, 0.5 to 1.0 credit (when designated for writing)
–  ENG 390 — Cooperative Education, 0.5 to 1.0 credit (when designated for writing)
–  ENG 477 — Advanced Nonfiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 478 — Advanced Poetry Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 479 — Advanced Fiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
• 2.0 credits from one set of the following pairs:
–  ENG 316 — Writing for the World of Work, 1.0 credit AND ENG 324 — Technical Writing, 1.0 credit OR
–  ENG 317 — News Writing, 1.0 credit AND ENG 318 — Feature Writing, 1.0 credit OR
–  ENG 377 — Nonfiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit AND ENG 477 — Advanced Nonfiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit OR
–  ENG 378 — Poetry Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit AND ENG 478 — Advanced Poetry Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit OR
–  ENG 379 — Fiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit AND ENG 479 — Advanced Fiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
• ENG 489 — Senior Capstone in Writing, 1.0 credit

Minor in English Writing

Requirements for a minor in English writing are 5.0 course credits:

• ENG 227 — Foundations of Creative Writing, 1.0 credit
• 1.0 credit from any English course offering in linguistics or literature except ENG 112 — American English Language and Culture and ENG 491 — Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing for the Secondary School.
• 1.0 credit from writing courses (beyond the required pair):
–  ENG 316 — Writing for the World of Work, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 317 — News Writing, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 318 — Feature Writing, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 324 — Technical Writing, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 377 — Nonfiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 378 — Poetry Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 379 — Fiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 380 — Special Topics, 0.5 to 1.0 credit (when designated for writing)
–  ENG 390 — Cooperative Education, 0.5 to 1.0 credit (when designated for writing)
–  ENG 477 — Advanced Nonfiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 478 — Advanced Poetry Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 479 — Advanced Fiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 489 — Senior Capstone in Writing, 1.0 credit
• 2.0 credits from one set of the following pairs:
–  ENG 316 — Writing for the World of Work, 1.0 credit AND ENG 324 — Technical Writing, 1.0 credit OR
–  ENG 317 — News Writing, 1.0 credit AND ENG 318 — Feature Writing, 1.0 credit OR
–  ENG 377 — Nonfiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit AND ENG 477 — Advanced Nonfiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit OR
–  ENG 378 — Poetry Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit AND ENG 478 — Advanced Poetry Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit OR
–  ENG 379 — Fiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit AND ENG 479 — Advanced Fiction Writing Seminar, 1.0 credit

Major in Print Journalism

Successful completion of the print journalism major will enable students to understand the changing role and importance of journalism in modern society; use rich, precise and illuminating language; construct skillful narratives; find and assess relevant facts, interpret them and present them in a context that is concise, fair and accurate; and show familiarity with the major ethical and legal issues in journalism.

The requirements for a major in print journalism are 9.0 course credits:

• 1.0 credit in literary studies from:
–  ENG 150 — Literature, Self, and Society, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 160 — Global Literature and Human Experience, 1.0 credit
• ENG 317 — News Writing, 1.0 credit
• ENG 318 — Feature Writing, 1.0 credit
• ENG 371 — Editing Process, 1.0 credit
• ENG 390 — Cooperative Education in Print Journalism, 1.0 credit
• ENG 403 — Advanced Reporting, 1.0 credit
• ENG 419, COM 419 — Mass Communication Law, 0.5 credit (ENG 317 — News Writing and ENG 318 — Feature Writing are prerequisites)
• ENG 420, COM 420 — Mass Communication Ethics, 0.5 credit (ENG 317 — News Writing and ENG 318 — Feature Writing are prerequisites)
• 2.0 credits from the following courses, 1.0 credit of which must be in art or communication studies:
–  ART 111 — Two-Dimensional Foundations, 1.0 credit
–  ART 236, COM 236 — Introduction to the Photographic Process, 1.0 credit
–  ART 370 — Graphic Design, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 227 — Foundations of Creative Writing, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 315 — English Language, Historical and Analytical, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 316 — Writing for the World of Work, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 380 — Special Topics, 0.5 to 1.0 credit (when designated for writing)
–  COM 313 — Persuasion: Influencing Human Behavior, 1.0 credit
–  COM 315 — Interviewing, 1.0 credit
–  COM 431 — Broadcast Newswriting and Reporting, 1.0 credit
• Proposed list of Liberal Arts Core courses: Print journalism majors are asked to submit to their adviser a proposed list of courses they plan to take to fulfill core requirements, including rationales for why each course has been proposed. This plan should become a contract to be approved by the Journalism Committee. The intent of this requirement is to ask majors to articulate how their Liberal Arts Core and elective courses will inform them as journalists.

Minor in Print Journalism

The requirements for a minor in print journalism are 5.0 course credits:

• ENG 317 — News Writing, 1.0 credit
• ENG 318 — Feature Writing, 1.0 credit
• ENG 371 — Editing Process, 1.0 credit
• ENG 403 — Advanced Reporting, 1.0 credit
• 1.0 credit from:
–  ART 370 — Graphic Design, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 390 — Cooperative Education in Print Journalism, 1.0 credit
–  ART 236, COM 236 — Introduction to the Photographic Process, 1.0 credit
–  COM 313 — Persuasion: Influencing Human Behavior, 1.0 credit
–  COM 331 — Mass Media, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 419, COM 419 — Mass Communication Law, 0.5 credit (ENG 317
— News Writing and ENG 318 — Feature Writing are prerequisites)
–  ENG 420, COM 420 — Mass Communication Ethics, 0.5 credit (ENG 317
— News Writing and ENG 318 — Feature Writing are prerequisites)

English Major with Communication Arts/Literature Teaching License, Grades 5-12

The requirements for an English major with communication arts/ literature teaching license, grades 5-12, are 13.0 course credits plus 9.0 course credits in education:

• 5.0 course credits in literature foundations:
–  ENG 220 — Human Values in British and American Literature, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 230 — Introduction to Literary Scholarship, 1.0 credit
–  1.0 credit from these American literature courses:  ENG 353 — American Literature: Beginnings to Realism, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 355 — American Literature: Realism to the Present, 1.0 credit
–  1.0 credit from these British literature courses:  ENG 326 — British Literature: Medieval to Renaissance, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 336 — British Literature: The Restoration to Romanticism, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 346 — British Literature: Empire to Independence, 1.0 credit
–  1.0 credit 400-level literature elective from: ENG 401 — English Shakespeare and the English Renaissance, 1.0 credit OR ENG 410 — Individual Author, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 421 — Traditions in Literary Genre, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 439 — Film and Literature, 1.0 credit OR ENG 441 — Theory and Practice of Criticism, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 451 — Approaches to Texts and Contexts, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 488 — Senior Capstone in Literature, 1.0 credit
• 2.0 course credits in language and writing:
–  ENG 315 — English Language, Historical and Analytical, 1.0 credit
–  1.0 credit from these courses: ENG 227 — Foundations of Creative Writing, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 316 — Writing for the World of Work, 1.0 credit OR  ENG 317 — News Writing, 1.0 credit
• 1.0 course credit in diversity from:
–  ENG 160 — Global Literature and Human Experience, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 358 — Native American Literatures, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 365 — Writing of Women, 1.0 credit
–  ENG 380 — Special Topics, 1.0 credit (when designated diversity)
• 1.0 course credit in education theory and methods:
–  EDUC 374 — Young Adult Literature, 0.5 credit
–  ENG 491 — Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing for the Secondary School, 0.5 credit
• 4.0 course credits in communication studies:
–  COM 201 — Introduction to Communication Studies, 1.0 credit
–  COM 205 — Advanced Public Speaking, 1.0 credit
–  COM 331 — Mass Media, 1.0 credit
–  1.0 course credit from the following: COM 312 — Interpersonal Communication, 1.0 credit OR COM 314 — Small-Group Interaction, 1.0 credit
• Successful completion of the secondary/K-12 curriculum requirements
• Required methods of teaching courses are:
–  EDUC 376 — Methods of Teaching English, 1.0 credit
–  EDUC 394 — Methods of Teaching in Communication Studies, 1.0 credit
• Cocurricular activity participation. Must be approved by the English department and the communication studies and theatre art department (see “Cocurricular Activities for Communication Arts/Literature”).